Because it does cost more to manufacture the larger sensor for the M9 I’m not that surprised. Some I know had speculated as high as $8000, but I think that would be way out of line. It would not have surprised me, but it would be out of line.

For 2 grand on the X1, I would have to see it in hand. But considering that the viewfinder, case etc would be included, it makes the price as a package easier to swallow.

Wonder what the big surprise will be with the announcement? I don’t know if I will catch the webcast but will pick up news here.

Well off to bed – I’m up with the chickens tomorrow 😉

Al

it says viewfinder, case etc. are optional?

Justin

Saying that a 21mp 1D mark III / 24mp D3X MSRP for more… I would have to say that with the build quality and just pure user experience of this camera, its cheaper then I expected… Not that I’m buying one… But if I had the money I sure as hell would…

As for the X1, price it at 900USD and I MIGHT be interested… It’s still just a digi-cam with an off the shelf sensor… No way to get around that the new Panasonic is the same camera with interchangeable lenses and possibly a larger sensor (Leica said 4/3 isnt for them)… Sorry Leica, my M6 was the best camera I ever owned, but I just can’t spring the cash for this…

$1995USD for a point & shoot camera?! I realize it has a “big” sensor but come on. The X1 is way over priced even for a Leica. And it won’t be out until 2010?! So Canon,Nikon, and hell even Samsung might have something similar out by then and at more than half that price?!
For 2 grand do you really think image quality will be any better than a sigma DP1 or DP2? Or as a Leica point & shoot do you really think it will have equal image quality to a Nikon D300S? I seriously doubt it.

Anonymous

This may sound really stupid, but consider it’s coming form a newbie to Leica. Why is this camera so expensive? Where is the advantage over cameras like the ones Nikon or Canon produces? Okay, as far as I know they don’t have a mirror, but the microfourthird don’t have one either?

I just don’t get, and would be grateful for some enlightenment!

Neil

I’m a little confused here, you say this is ‘official pricing’ but it’s from a shop. Is that correct?

If so, there are many occasions when shops display prices before products release, but they don’t always prove to be correct. This happens in the UK with every single Canon camera release on one major retailer’s site. The price can be 10, 20 or even 30% higher than the actual RRP. It seems some shops price at the most they think it will cost and hope people will pre-order at the high price. I can’t see this being any different with Leica than it is with Canon products. Perhaps it’s actually more likely to happen as people expect to pay high prices.

Of course, that’s not to say that the price is wrong. It’s just I’d prefer to hear it from Leica direct.

Matt

A Leica rep ensured me yesterday that the X1 is a complete inhouse development and has nothing to do with the GF1 or any mFT or FT. It has a CMOS APS-C sensor (which is nearly twice as big as a FT sensor) delivered by an “unknown supplierâ€ in it.

Gabriel

Well, Leica is like Rolls Royce, such a price is not a surprise.

Jo

Well, 7000 US dollars is 4800 Euros! the same price that the M8.2! Remember that the US dollars is quiet low!

I just bought a M8.2 6 months ago, If they don’t propose an upgrade, I’ll be very very angry with them!

Yang

I quite like the X1 design and see it as much more of a companion to a MP film camera than the D-lux, will probably get one if the reviews are good and wait a few months for the price to deteriorate 🙂

Stephen

Just to add, I think a Leica is the best there is, as was said, this may be only marginal but if its the best you want, you want a Leica. Its a bit like a watch. You can get a Casio or you can get a Rolex. Both tell the time perfectly well but some people want the Rolex. Life is short so get what you want if you can afford it.